Bridlington Model Boat Society (MPBA Affiliated)

STATEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY

PREFACE

Bridlington Model Boat Society is not an employer and as such is not required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act. However, this statement will ensure that all dealings within the club’s site at Carnaby reflect the spirit of the Act and give advice and guidance to all who use the facilities.

The following items are considered to be possible hazards.

1.        Slips, trips and falls. (All site users)

2.        Risk of drowning. (All site users)

3.        Personal injury from powerboats. (Members and spectators)

4.        Heavy lifting and handling. (Members only)

5.        Use of rescue boat. (Members only)

6.        Eye injury from transmitter aerial. (Members and spectators)

7.        Re-charging of batteries. (Members/competitors/spectators)

8.        Water-borne diseases. (All site users)

9.        Substances hazardous to health.

EVALUATION OF RISKS

Evaluation is an ongoing process and it is the responsibility of all committee members to report any possible hazard to the committee for their further action.

The Captains of each discipline must ensure that these guidelines are adhered to at all events and it is the responsibility of all members to act responsibly and within these guidelines at all times when using the lake and it’s environs.

A full Risk Assessment of the site must be completed at least once in every 12-month period and also prior to any special event.

Any risk must be assessed as Low/Medium/High and written details submitted to the committee or appropriate body following the annual/special event evaluation.

1. Slips, trips and falls. (Assess risk – Low/medium/high)

All steps must have at least one banister rail, be in good order and free from debris. Walkways must be clear of debris and/or boats and equipment. Visitors must be made aware of the fact that surfaces can be slippery when wet.

2. Risk of drowning. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)

A fence surrounds the lake and lifebelts are sited at strategic points. 7 latched gates are sited within the fence with warning signs stating ‘Limited access for retrieval of dead boats only’. Sailing areas (landing stages) are necessarily open and great care should be taken when walking on these areas. Warning signs stating ‘Danger deep water’ are also sited at strategic points.

3. Personal injury from powerboats. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)

The safety fence will act as a barrier for any powerboat which is out of control should it strike the bank. There may be other areas where the Captain of the relevant discipline considers it necessary to restrict access during an event and will mark these areas using red and white striped tape and signs as necessary. An outward facing board has been fitted to the main powerboat operating area to avoid boats mounting the landing stage.

Competitors/members will be asked to ensure safe practice with regard to rotating propellers and all fast electric boats must have a safety power isolation loop fitted.

4. Heavy lifting and handling. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)

All heavy equipment including the weed cutter both rescue boats and outboard motors should be carried by a minimum of two people and assistance asked for if necessary.

5. Use of rescue boats. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)

Any member using a rescue boat must wear the appropriate buoyancy aid/lifejacket. These are supplied by the club and kept in a rack inside the clubhouse. Protective headgear must be worn and additional boat side panel protection used by rescue boat crew during multiracing events. No junior member under the age of 18 may use the rescue boat unsupervised. Rescue boats must be returned to their original storage position after use.

6. Eye injury from transmitter aerial. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)]

 All transmitters in use with telescopic aerials must as a minimum have the manufacturers safety button fitted. For members who move around the site with aerials extended, it is advisory that an additional device such as a practice golf ball, foam ball or some other such device be fitted. The wearing of glasses will reduce this risk. 

7. Re-charging of batteries. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)

All batteries, if recharged on site must be done so in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Lithium Polymer, Lithium Iron, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride and Lead Acid technologies are all used. A bucket of dry sand and/or suitable fire extinguisher or fire blanket must be provided near the charging area and on the landing stage.

8. Water borne diseases. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)

Everyone using the site should be made aware of the possibility of water borne diseases such as Weil’s disease. Hand washing facilities are available on site and anyone eating must first wash their hands and use appropriate hygiene procedures.

9. Substances hazardous to health. (Assess risk – Low/Medium/High)

Anyone using cleaning materials or any other hazardous substance must use safety gloves/goggles appropriate to the substance used and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Any member using combustible fuel must take great care and the Captain of the discipline must ensure that no smoking rules apply in the vicinity of these fuels.

These are felt to be the primary risks but members must still be aware of possible risks with their models and equipment and should act accordingly especially when the general public are on site. Any perceived risk must be reported to a committee member without delay.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

Frequency Control.

The frequency control pegboard is in use at all times unless designated by the respective Captain or Officer of the Day. Each skipper must check this board before sailing and leave a peg bearing their own full name on the appropriate frequency. At racing events, pre-booked frequencies may apply. Use of 2.4GHZ radio sets does not preclude the use of a frequency peg.

Insurance.

Bridlington Model Boat Society holds a current public liability insurance covering all members throughout the year wherever they are sailing within the EEC. Any other user of this lake must provide adequate proof of their personal insurance either via their own club or national organisation.

First Aid Kit.

This is available in the clubhouse and a qualified first aid assistant will administer first aid but if one is not available, the responsibility will remain that of the user.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1.        The constitution of Bridlington Model Boat Society does not permit any junior member to attend the lake unless accompanied by their parent, guardian or responsible adult or if other arrangements have been agreed with another adult, then a letter of permission must first be lodged with the secretary who will report this to the committee for their approval. This arrangement is deemed a private childcare agreement and is therefore not the responsibility of Bridlington Model Boat Society or its officers. This also relates to any vulnerable adult.

2.        No BMBS member is allowed to approach any child or vulnerable adult without either the presence of or express permission of that child’s or vulnerable adult’s parent, guardian or responsible adult.

3.        No photograph of any person under the age of 18 or vulnerable adult may be taken without the permission of the parent, guardian or responsible adult.

4.        Any BMBS member accused of inappropriate behaviour with a child or vulnerable adult will be immediately suspended from the club, the details referred to the relevant authority and that member will not be readmitted until said authority has investigated the matter. In the event of a conviction, the said member will be expelled from the club. Inappropriate behaviour is classed as: -

a)       Physical harm of any kind

b)       Threatening behaviour

c)       Bullying

d)       Any form of discrimination due to Race, Cultural differences, Gender, Disability or Sexuality.

Revised February 2011